'More to come' - Michael van Gerwen makes form admission after claiming Premier League win in Berlin

Reigning champion Van Gerwen produced a trio of ton-plus averages to triumph in the German capital, as the Dutch superstar ignited his bid for a record-extending eighth crown in darts’ biggest roadshow.

Van Gerwen moved through to Thursday’s Night Two showpiece with hard-fought wins over Nathan Aspinall and Night One winner Michael Smith, before surviving a late scare to overcome Littler.

Van Gerwen reeled off five consecutive legs from 4-1 adrift to see off Aspinall in the quarter-finals, after fending off a blistering early barrage from the World Matchplay champion.

The Dutch superstar then edged out table-topper Smith in the semi-finals, producing an 11-darter in the decider to avenge his defeat to the St Helens star seven days ago.

Van Gerwen also had to overturn an early deficit against Littler, who raced into a 2-0 lead with legs of 12 and 14 darts in his first nightly final as a Premier League player.

The three-time World Champion responded with a three-leg burst to seize the initiative, pinning double six before following up a 13-dart break with an 11-dart hold as his average climbed above 113.

The pair then exchanged five consecutive holds as Littler forced a decider, and the teenager threatened to complete a famous victory after producing successive visits of 180 and 128 to leave 80 after 12 darts.

However, the 17-year-old spurned two darts at double ten to prevail at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, and Van Gerwen capitalised by pinning double four with his last dart to claim the maximum five points.

“To have games like this against Luke Littler is always good,” reflected Van Gerwen, who moves up to second in the embryonic Premier League table.

“I think it was a fantastic night for darts, and I’m really pleased with my own performance today.

“I played well, especially in the important moments, and I was able to keep the pressure on my opponents.

“Sometimes my energy levels in certain games hasn’t been great, so you need to find solutions, and this is a key moment for me today.

“I feel good, I feel comfortable, but there is more to come.”

Photo Credit: Jonas Hunold/PDC